Splitter card with integral test access

Abstract

A splitter card having integral test access devices. The splitter card allows test access to be readily provided at any location where splitter cards are typically mounted (e.g., a splitter chassis).

1. A telecommunications device comprising:
 a splitter card including a plurality of POTS splitters mounted thereon; and 
 a plurality of test access devices mounted to the splitter card so as to be carried by the splitter card, wherein the test access devices are configured to provide test access to at least one of LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths routed through the telecommunications device, wherein the test access devices define test signal paths that are accessible from the splitter card separate from that of the LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths. 
 
   
   
     2. The telecommunications device of  claim 1 , wherein the test access devices provide intrusive test access. 
   
   
     3. The telecommunications device of  claim 1 , wherein the test access devices provide non-intrusive test access. 
   
   
     4. The telecommunications device of  claim 1 , wherein at least 24 of the POTS splitters are mounted to the splitter card. 
   
   
     5. The telecommunications device of  claim 1 , wherein the test access devices define ports for receiving tip and ring plugs. 
   
   
     6. The telecommunications device of  claim 5 , wherein the test access devices comprise bantam jacks. 
   
   
     7. The telecommunications device of  claim 1 , wherein the test access devices are configured to provide test access to all of the LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths routed through the telecommunications device. 
   
   
     8. The telecommunications device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 first switches positioned upstream of the POTS splitters and connected to the LINE signal paths for providing test access to the LINE signal paths; 
 second switches positioned downstream of the POTS splitters and connected to the POTS signal paths for providing test access to the POTS signal paths; and 
 third switches positioned downstream of the POTS splitters and connected to the DATA signal paths for providing test access to the DATA signal paths. 
 
   
   
     9. A telecommunications device comprising:
 a splitter card including a plurality of splitters mounted thereon; and 
 a plurality of test access devices mounted to the splitter card so as to be carried by the splitter card, the test access devices providing test access to at least one of LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths as the signals are routed through the splitter card, wherein the test access devices define test signal paths that are accessible from the splitter card separate from that of the LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths. 
 
   
   
     10. The telecommunications device of  claim 9 , wherein the test access devices provide intrusive test access. 
   
   
     11. The telecommunications device of  claim 9 , wherein the test access devices provide non-intrusive test access. 
   
   
     12. The telecommunications device of  claim 9 , wherein at least 24 of the splitters are mounted to the splitter card. 
   
   
     13. The telecommunications device of  claim 9 , wherein the test access devices define ports for receiving tip and ring plugs. 
   
   
     14. The telecommunications device of  claim 13 , wherein the test access devices comprise bantam jacks. 
   
   
     15. The telecommunications device of  claim 9 , wherein the test access devices are configured to provide test access to all of the LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths routed through the telecommunications device. 
   
   
     16. A telecommunications device comprising:
 a splitter card including a plurality of splitters mounted thereon; 
 one or more card edge connectors for inputting LINE, POTS and DATA signals to the splitter card and for outputting LINE, POTS and DATA signals from the splitter card; 
 circuitry for routing the LINE, POTS and DATA signals between the one or more card edge connectors and the splitters along LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths; and 
 a plurality of test access devices mounted to the splitter card so as to be carried by the splitter card, the test access devices providing test access to at least one of the LINE, POTS and DATA signals as the signals are routed between the one or more card edge connectors and the splitters along the LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths, wherein the test access devices define test signal paths that are accessible from the splitter card separate from that of the LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths. 
 
   
   
     17. The telecommunications device of  claim 16 , wherein the test access devices provide intrusive test access. 
   
   
     18. The telecommunications device of  claim 16 , wherein the test access devices provide non-intrusive test access. 
   
   
     19. The telecommunications device of  claim 16 , wherein at least 24 of the splitters are mounted to the splitter card. 
   
   
     20. The telecommunications device of  claim 16 , wherein the test access devices define ports for receiving tip and ring plugs. 
   
   
     21. The telecommunications device of  claim 20 , wherein the test access devices comprise bantam jacks. 
   
   
     22. The telecommunications device of  claim 16 , wherein the test access devices are configured to provide test access to all of the LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths routed through the telecommunications device. 
   
   
     23. The telecommunications device of  claim 16 , wherein the splitters comprise POTS splitter circuits. 
   
   
     24. A method for providing test access in a telecommunications system, the method comprising:
 inserting a splitter device into a splitter chassis; 
 routing LINE, POTS and DATA signals from the splitter chassis through the splitter device along LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths; and 
 routing at least one of the LINE, POTS and DATA signals through a test access device mounted to the splitter device as the signals are in the process of being routed through the splitter device, wherein test access is provided at the test access device, and wherein the test access device defines test signal paths that are accessible from the splitter card separate from that of the LINE, POTS and DATA signal paths.